Patent attributes
An oil separator for separating oil from oil-laden gases includes a housing having a plurality of cavities with an auger disposed in each cavity. Each auger has a helical flight extending about a longitudinal central axis between inlet and outlet ends. At least one of the augers has an annular wall extending from the inlet end with an end cap, including an inlet, extending thereover to delimit an inlet chamber. A valve head is disposed in the inlet chamber, wherein a spring member biases the valve head to perfect a seal over the inlet to inhibit the flow of oil-laden gases therethrough. The valve head is moveable against the bias of the spring member to an open position in response to pressure applied against the valve head sufficient to overcome the spring member bias to promote the flow of oil-laden gases through the inlet chamber and about the auger.
